With his bookplate and personable signature marking ownership of this 1811 copy of The Criminal Recorder (…), “Hugh W. Diamond” also utilizes the traditional elements found in coats of arms.
Sporting rearing lions and stars, Diamond also incorporated the motto, “Miseris Succurrere Disco” or, “I learn to succor the distressed” into his bookplate. Both this phrase (borrowed from the Roman poet, Virgil) and Diamond’s specific symbolism largely belong to the 800-year-old Scottish organization, Clan MacMillan. However, this is not surprising as many times a coat of arms also identifies an organization to which the individual subscribed. In this case, we can assume that the text’s provenance includes Diamond and his involvement in the clan.
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